Perennial students Juan and Wilson are planning a daring coup. They intend to break into the National Museum of Anthropology in Mexico City and steal precious Mayan, Mixtec and Zapotec artefacts, in particular the funerary mask of King Pakal. While their families celebrate Christmas they get down to business, just like a couple of seasoned criminals. Everything goes off without a hitch and, with their sports bags stuffed full of treasures, they return home to see on the news how their deed is described as an attack on the entire nation. Only now do they realise the gravity of their actions. Feeling more than a little queasy, they set about fencing their haul. The ensuing road movie takes us from the impressive Mayan ruins of Palenque to the chic seaside resort of Acapulco. Even when Juan and Wilson are behind the wheel, their endeavour has long since gone off the rails. Revisiting the true events of 1985 when it was initially thought that professionals had pulled off the heist, the film is as surprising as the original case. Like its heroes, it too has a crafty way of getting down to the nitty-gritty, reinventing itself with every twist, and nodding to several film genres along the way.

Biography

Alonso Ruizpalacios

This Mexican writer, film and theatre director studied at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts (RADA) in London. His feature film debut Güeros premiered in Panorama and won over 40 prizes at international festivals, including Best First Feature Award at the 2014 Berlinale and Mexican Premio Ariel awards in five different categories. His short films Café Paraíso, The Cú Bird’s Last Song and Verde screened at numerous festivals. He currently lives in Mexico City where he works with his theatre company, Todas Las Fiestas de Mañana, and endeavours to be more patient with his sons Martín und Tomás.

Filmography

2008Café Paraíso; short film 2010The Cú Bird’s Last Song; short film 2014Güeros2016Verde; short film 2018Museo (Museum)